/About Glenwood Middle School / Administrators
Administrators
Mrs. Christine Lehnen, Principal
Mrs. Christine Lehnen was previously an Assistant Principal/Special Education Coordinator at Glenwood High School, and before that, she was a Special Education Teacher, and Coordinator for Ball-Chatham. After graduation from Monmouth High School, she went on to receive her bachelor’s degree from Monmouth College, and her Master’s degree in Education Administration from Illinois State University.
Mrs. Lehnen says the best part about being in education is working with students and their families as well as coming alongside amazing colleagues to assist students in their educational journey. “Being able to help students and staff reach their goals, gain confidence in their own abilities, and celebrate their successes is a reward that is immeasurable,” she says.
Mrs. Lehnen also believes there are challenges in education today, particularly, “To always remain current in our instructional practices to meet the needs of a student population that continues to change in the way that they learn and then to make those skills relevant in the community to which they will contribute after they graduate.”
She is married to Trevor, and together they have four children: Sydney, Luke, Katelyn, and Blake. On her own time, she enjoys attending her kids’ sporting events, working in her yard, and spending time with her family.
Ms. Kenya Davis, Assistant Principal
Mr. Jeffrey Rieck, Assistant Principal
Mr. Rieck previously taught science, and was head varsity track coach (boys) and head varsity wrestling coach at Westville High School. Prior to Westville, he taught science, and was the head varsity wrestling coach for Champaign Centennial High School. He was also a Golden Ruler Recipient for Excellence in Education while working at Westville CUSD 2.
He graduated from Mattoon High School in 2007, and went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Science/Science with Teacher Certification in 2013 from Eastern Illinois University. He also earned his Master’s of Science in Education/Educational Leadership degree in 2020 from EIU.
Mr. Rieck believes that the greatest aspect of working in the education profession, is the lasting relationships that are created with students, staff, and the communities that we serve as educators.
About the challenges he sees in education, he says, “I think that the challenges working in education are similar to those that our students experience within the classroom. To grow academically and personally, it takes a lot of doing things the wrong way before you figure out how to do them to the best of your ability. I think this is just as true for educators as it is for students. I have experienced so many learning opportunities along my path working in education which were sometimes tough lessons to learn.”
On his own time, he enjoys spending time with my family, traveling, hiking, fishing, and exercising. He says he really enjoys any sort of activity that incorporates nature and the outdoors. “Academically, I’ve always been interested in the sciences, mainly biology with a focus in zoology, genetics, and human physiology,” he says. “I am also passionate about learning new practices, techniques and philosophies that can be applied to a classroom setting to produce positive student outcomes.”